AU Theatre to host series of 10-minute plays Friday and Saturday

ASHLAND − The Ashland University Department of Theatre will close out its 2022-23 season by presenting a festival of 10-minute plays Friday and Saturday in the Studio Theatre of the Center for the Arts, 331 College Ave.

To conclude the season’s theme, “Standing Up, Standing Out,” student-directed short plays each have characters who stand up for themselves and stand out by making choices that will change their lives, according to a news release.

Admission is free, but seating is limited. Tickets are available from the directors or at the door.

Anthony Marchetta, a junior journalism and digital media major, is directing “I Can’t Think of It Right Now.” The comedy is a scene of a common life experience, as a couple tries to remember the name of an actor, movie or song.

“People Will Talk” by Scott Mullen will be directed by senior musical theatre major Katie Snell. Two strangers meet on a ledge and discuss who gets to jump first. The play deals with topics for mature audiences, such as suicide, suicidal ideation and drinking alcohol.

Senior theatre major Tiffany Sims is directing “Sun Dried” by Edna Ferber and adapted for  the stage by Walter Wykes. Set in 1912, the play is about a girl from the country who moved to New York City to pursue her dreams of becoming a writer.

“A Rebel Among the Wretched” by Andrew Bliss will be directed by junior musical theatre major Mattie Vermilya. A drama about a dysfunctional family, but one of its characters decides she has had enough doom and despair and wants to leave with her children to join a musical.

“The Wedding Song” by Sam Graber is to be directed by junior theatre major Anthony McFee. During the first dance with his bride, a groom is transported to other worlds by a mystical songkeeper.

Junior musical theatre major Tobin Grendzynski will direct “The Goon” by Pete Malicki. Two goons who work for a super villainare in big trouble when one of them accidentally shoots a superhero. The play contains adult language and subject matter.

For more information, contact Teresa Durbin-Ames at tdurbin@ashland.edu or 419-289-5821.

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Ashland University 10-minute plays Friday, Saturday are free